LOSS: 8-2 vs Hooligans – Kind of a Day to Forget

The Honey Badgers were in for a fight today with some Hooligans. They were younger, faster, younger, and scoring goals for fun this summer as they rolled through the league with an undefeated record. Cool I guess if you’re into that kind of stuff, but did they have a tent with mist? Exactly. Boooooring.

With 3 subs in Badgertown, Cameron Road got things started attacking the tree line on field two. Without Ciro in the mix, Punter Adam joined Brian Parks in central midfield. Chappy was back from re-applying worn off stickers in Isla Mujeres to join Jake and Adam on the wings. Derek and Jesus started up top, while Billy, Danimal, Guillermo and Jefe rounded out the starting back line. A headband Jaybone set up shop between the pipes.

Some good work was done against the young Hooligan side as play was pretty even early on. But the Hooligans were applying the pressure more often than the Badgers would have liked. Just like their name suggested, they did a little pick pocket on Jefe and would up driving home the opening goal. Not to worry as the Badgers are all about redemption.

Leoooooo came in and had a rip with his second touch of the game (the first one trapping the ball).

Billy was working well at right back, and subtly explained the difference between “arguing” and “debating” to his Captain after Danny’s rocketed free kick went wide of the goal. (always debating)

As the Hooligan attacks became more and more frequent, Danny and Guillermo were up to the task, repelling balls like a straight man in a Turkish bathhouse.

Adam Smithers was getting stuck in, and had some nice work down the right side, trying to get crosses into the danger area. A few of which just needed the final touch.

The Badgers were doing well though and keeping the game close, until the referee had a blinder and called an intentional back pass to Jaybone. Bad call, terrible call, but you know, we’re not going to talk about it. The resulting mis-placed free kick went in and the Badgers ended the half down two goals and feeling hard done.

Oranges.

Aaron came in at right wing for El Chapoton and immediately made an impact with a bullet header to the back of the net from a corner kick. Unfortunately, it was Cameron Road’s goal. Honest mistake or sanctioned Punter shithousery? A DOJ investigation has so far revealed a string of missing text messages to Nick Mehl. Stay tuned for televised hearings.

Down by three goals the wheels were just starting to come off for the Badgers who were feeling like they could get back into the game with just a little luck. But luck was not on their side as the bus lost another wheel as the Hooligans scored numbers four and five of the afternoon.

But that’s when Cameron Road sprung into action! A great 30 seconds saw Leo, Adam, Jesus and Jake pour on the offense with a few quick shots. In for Billy at right back, Chappy pounded a header from a Hooligan goal kick deep in the the danger area, just trying to initiate another attack. (subsequently, his brain said “hey, that might not have been a great idea” – but another concussion would have been worth it if it lead to a Badger goal)

With some great play, Adam popped up on the left flank to deliver a beautiful cross to a diving Jake for comeback goal #1! Great header from the gravitationally challenged mist master!

And with another attack, the Hooligan keeper got himself stuck in no-man’s land as Jesus drilled in a looping shot that was headed for the top corner of the near post until….. a big’ol Hooligan stuck out his paw to swat the ball to safety. Red card and penalty kick.

Jefe stood up to take it, smashing it home to atone for his earlier defensive mistake, even as Chappy announced to both teams that “the penalty take is on magic mushrooms.” Consider Jefe’s debt paid.

Heading into the water break, the comeback was on, but then all of the remaining wheels fell of the bus as the Hooligans took advantage of the Badgers all out advances to score a few more goals and continue their assault on the league. Also, “JAKE IS DOWN! JAKE IS DOWN!”

Bummer of a result, but with the hardest test of the season out of the way, Cameron Road will welcome back many players to hopefully dominate the final two matches of the season.

Man-of-the-Match: Jake brought the mist and scored a fantastic header to kick off the almost comeback.

Jefe’s Post-Match Musings: Arizona “Lite” Iced Tea is horrible (it’s not). Taking the initiative to ice Aaron for his own goal without waiting for someone to film it was okay (it wasn’t). Signing Yunir to the Fall Squad is a good idea (debatable). Chappy is boring when he’s sober (inconclusive).